The European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) plays an eminent role in the development, harmonisation and standardisation of means and methods for sampling, detection, identification and quantification of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in a wide variety of products, ranging from seeds, grains, to food and feed stuff. The network was inaugurated in Brussels on December 4th 2002 and it currently consists of 95 national enforcement laboratories, from all 28 EU Member States plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.

The primary purpose of the ENGL is to help solve the large number of challenges that enforcement laboratories face in the field of detection, identification and quantification of GMOs. The ENGL consortium agreement foresees a number of ways for achieving this purpose:

The organization of plenary meetings for the exchange of experience;

The organization of working groups on topical issues of general interest;

Co-operative research, exchange of scientists, training;

Technology transfer between ENGL members;

The exchange of scientific literature.

ENGL was formed as by the European Union and the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) that in the context of the enforcement of the European Union (EU) regulations of GMOs are responsible for the correct detection, identification and quantification of GMOs by the enforcement authorities in the EU-Member States. It is governed by the above indicated consortium agreement and its secretariat and chair is provided by the European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF).

Glossary:

NRLs are appointed by the relevant Competent Authority from each EU member state to collaborate with the EU-RL GMFF and coordinate the activities of Official Control Laboratories.

The NRL network is responsible for setting up EU-wide standards for routine procedures and reliable testing methods within their own member state.

Official Control Laboratories are delegated by the Competent Authority from each EU member state to perform specific control tasks.